The epic chronicle ends, after eight films that filled a decade. The over $7 billion in movie lucre it will finally receive is far less important than the many millions of fans who have loved the storytelling abundance, the beautiful splurges of craft, the three growing heroes (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint). A pause and a prayer, please, for haunting Prof. Snape (Alan Rickman), with his crepe-of-death voice and brave but twisted destiny. The grand finish, if not always inspired, feels necessary. In a sustained, imaginative way, this is the best of any movie series. (2011) — David Elliott
This movie is not currently in theaters.